According to Reuters, the new glasses are being used to target those on the Chinese government’s “blacklist”, which consists mostly of criminals, journalists, human rights activists and other individuals the government deems hostile to its agenda.

The technology was used last weekend during China’s annual parliamentary meeting, where the ruling Communist Party ensured Xi Jinping can rule for life by abolishing presidential term limits.

The sunglasses may look like something out of a sci-fi film, but the unprecedented rise in government surveillance of Chinese citizens shows a more sinister aim, rather than just the safety of the people.

David Bandurski, co-director of the University of Hong Kong’s China Media Project, told Reuters:

“[China’s] leadership once felt a degree of trepidation over the advancement of the internet and communication technologies.

“It now sees them as absolutely indispensable tools of social and political control.”

With a price of A$806, the sunglasses don’t come cheap. However, they could revolutionise facial-recognition for police forces worldwide.

About the author

Alice is a Londoner who quit her 9 – 5 job and bought a one way ticket to Sydney. Usually found pining after Leonardo DiCaprio, drinking red wine and keeping her Instagram “on point” via @alicesantics.